Costa Mesa Backyard Fire Regulations Rules (2026): What You Need to Know

The City of Costa Mesa, a mid-size city of approximately 112,000 residents in Orange County, regulates backyard fires through its adoption of the California Fire Code and the Costa Mesa Municipal Code (CMMC) Title 5 provisions governing public safety. Recreational fires — meaning small outdoor fires for cooking, warmth, or ambiance — are permitted on private residential property when conducted in an approved fire pit or outdoor fireplace that meets the safety requirements established by the Costa Mesa Fire Department. Approved fire containers include manufactured portable fire pits with spark screens, permanently installed masonry or prefabricated outdoor fireplaces, and chimineas designed for outdoor use. The fire must be contained within the approved device at all times.

Under the California Fire Code as adopted by Costa Mesa, recreational fires must maintain a minimum clearance of 15 feet from any structure, fence, property line, combustible vegetation, or overhead obstruction such as tree branches, patio covers, or awnings. The fire must not exceed 3 feet in diameter and flames must not extend more than 2 feet above the rim of the fire container. A competent adult must supervise the fire at all times, and a garden hose connected to a water supply, a fire extinguisher, or other approved extinguishing equipment must be readily available within immediate reach. Fires must be fully extinguished before being left unattended, and ashes must be properly disposed of in a non-combustible container.

Costa Mesa is located within the SCAQMD jurisdiction, which enforces mandatory No-Burn curtailment orders during winter months when air quality conditions are forecast to trap particulate pollution. On declared No-Burn days, residents may not burn wood in outdoor fire pits, fireplaces, or any other solid-fuel-burning device. Natural gas and propane fire pits and outdoor fireplaces are exempt from No-Burn day restrictions because they produce negligible particulate emissions. Open burning of trash, yard waste, construction debris, and any other materials is prohibited year-round within Costa Mesa city limits. The Costa Mesa Fire Department actively responds to complaints about nuisance smoke and illegal burning, and residents who experience excessive smoke from a neighbor's fire may contact the Fire Department non-emergency line for assistance.